Patches

Dickie Lee

 

Down by the river that flows by the coal yards.

Stands wooden houses with shutters torn down

There lives a girl everybody calls Patches

Patches my darling of Old Shanty town.

 

We plan to marry when June brought the summer

I couldn't wait to make Patches my bride

Now I don't see how that ever can happen

My folks say “No,” and my heart breaks inside.

 

Patches, oh what can I do?

I swear I'll always love you

But a girl from that place will just bring me disgrace

So my folks won't let me love you.

 

Each night I cry as I think of that shanty

And pretty Patches there watching the door

She doesn't know that I can't come to see her

Patches must think that I love her no more.

 

I hear a neighbor tellin' my father

He said a girl name of Patches was found

Floating face down that dirty old river

That flows by the coal yards in Old Shanty Town.

 

Patches, oh what can I do?

I swear I'll always love you

It may not be right, but I'll join you tonight

Patches I'm coming to you.

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